Here’s a very short video of me brush hogging tall grass, wild rose bushes, and other vegetation at the end of the main lawn on July 3, 2019. What I’m cutting is about two feet tall. I’ve cleared more challenging areas, but unfortunately, I didn’t record it. It took less than an hour to work this 120’ L x 30’ W area, and it wasn’t that physically taxing.
I didn’t grow up using power tools or heavy equipment, and I’m not particularly strong, but I wanted to be as self-sufficient as possible when maintaining my property so I knew I had to identify, and learn how to use, a few critical items.
It Paid for Itself
The brush hog (or bush hog/brush cutter) was the first big-ticket item that I bought. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to handle it, but I haven’t had any problems. I avoid rocky or boggy areas and growth that is bigger than what it’s manufactured to handle. It’s a critical piece of my property management arsenal, and I really enjoy using it.
By not having to pay landscapers, I figure that it paid for itself within a year or two, and I’m now in the black in terms of the money I’ve saved by continuing to clear my own property.
That’s the best part: every step I take is another dollar in my pocket!
A Brush Hog May Not Be Right for Everyone
Before deciding to buy my brush hog, I spoke with the prior owner of my property who told me that it was what they had long used to maintain several large areas. That pretty much settled the question of how I, in turn, would manage this land. Then I watched a lot of online videos of people brush hogging and read a lot of user reviews, always mindful of the reviewer’s apparent level of experience and what kind of plants they were cutting.
What to Consider Before Buying
Two major factors may make a brush hog an impractical choice for some:
First, brush hogs are expensive. I know “expensive” is a relative term, but the base price of entry level, name-brand models seems to be US$2,000 – $3,000, which is a substantial sum of money for the average person.
Second, depending on growth and terrain, using a brush hog can be arduous. If you want to clean up your severely overgrown property but don’t think you can handle hard physical labor, you may want to find someone trustworthy who can show you how to use a brush hog/bush hog/brush cutter, then rent one for a weekend and see how it goes. I opted to go straight to purchase. Note: Operating these machines can cause serious bodily injury, despite any built-in safety mechanisms. If you use one, you assume all risks.
An Ancient Agricultural Tool Could Be the Answer
If a brush hog isn’t a feasible option, an old-fashioned scythe could be a great alternative to cut tall grass. It’s much less expensive though it can be tiring to use as well – and dangerous. We had one of these very effective and beautiful hand tools when I was a kid (and I think it’s still in my parents’ garage so I will post a photo if I find it). When we were quite young, my siblings and I swung that thing on our back lawn after it had gone to pasture. I don’t remember any of us getting hurt using it, but I do not recommend that any minor use one. Plenty of adults probably shouldn’t use one either.
Let the Machine Do the Work
But, back to the brush hog, my tall grass conqueror of choice:
While standing in six-foot tall phragmites, an invasive perennial grass that I plan to eradicate, my brother gave me a 10-minute demonstration on how to operate my new brush hog. His key instruction was: “Let the machine do the work.” It looked so easy! But then again, he’s 6’3” and 250+ pounds and has worked with all kinds of machinery for decades. So, of course, I was a bit concerned that I’d be struggling every second that I used it.
At first, I found myself trying to push this several hundred pound beast through thick brush and uneven terrain, which was a huge mistake. Even now, I sometimes catch myself trying to muscle it but then I start repeating to myself, “Let the machine do the work.”
And that is precisely what I did in this video:
Healthy Lawn Report: How to Mow Two-Foot Tall Grass (Main Lawn)